“Incredible gift”
When Norm Lewis’ grandson was
born, it was the most emotional day
he and his family have experienced
since they received a life-changing
phone call two years ago. /p3
E ASTER N HE A LTH QUA RTER LY
AUTUMN 2014
INCREASED
SUPPORT /p2
Aboriginal hospital liaison officer
joins Eastern Health.
RECIPE FOR
GOOD HEALTH /p5
Dietitians help prepare healthier meals.
MAROONDAH HOSPITAL
MILESTONES /p6
Completion of a 22-bed specialty
medicine ward.
LIVER RECIPIENT NORM LEWIS MEETS
HIS NEWBORN GRANDSON BAILEY.
NEWS IN BRIEF
ABORIGINAL HOSPITAL LIAISON
OFFICER JOANNE VOCE
Aboriginal
Employment Plan
Eastern Health has developed
an Aboriginal Employment Plan
to increase the employment
participation of Aboriginal
people. Eastern Health is an
equal opportunity employer and
recognises the importance of
diversity and inclusion.
Three key focus areas include
the development of an Aboriginal
apprenticeship and traineeship
program, school-based
apprenticeships and traineeships,
and additional employment
strategies including scholarships.
To download a copy of the plan, visit
www.easternhealth.org.au/
careers
Wings of Hope
Eastern Health Foundation’s 2013
Christmas Appeal resonated with
many donors who were touched
by the feature story of renal patient
Charmaine and her daughter
Emma. We received many personal
messages from donors expressing
their best wishes to Charmaine and
her family.
The campaign raised almost
$55,000, with donations ranging
from $2 to $2000 from 954
donors. Eastern Health Foundation
Director Anne Gribbin said: “We
are thankful to our committed
donors, corporate partners,
bequestors, volunteers, auxiliaries
and community groups for their
support.” For more information
or to donate, visit www.
easternhealth.org.au/donate
Three Top Honours
Eastern Health received three
honours at the Institute of Public
Administration Australia (Victoria)
Awards in February. Our People
Strategy, In the Patient’s Shoes
initiative and risk management
program each received Leadership
in the Public Sector Awards. Eastern
Health 2022: The Strategic Clinical
Service Plan was also a finalist in the
policy development category.
The awards recognise outstanding
achievements and practices within
the Victorian public sector.
2
Increased
support for
Aboriginal
patients
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people presenting
to hospitals in the east will
have more support than ever,
thanks to a recent expansion
at Eastern Health.
Joanne Voce is Eastern
Health’s new Aboriginal
Hospital Liaison Officer, a role
that will provide patients with
culturally-appropriate guidance
when they present to any area
of the health service.
“A patient’s journey through
a hospital and subsequent
services can often be quite
daunting. I’ll be on the ground
to ensure Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander patients have
access to the information
they need, giving them a
more positive experience and
improving their outcomes,”
Joanne said.
Joanne is no stranger to
health, most recently sharing
her working week between
Healesville Pharmacy and
Eastern Health’s Aboriginal
Health Team, where she coordinated planned activity
groups for Aboriginal elders.
“I love working with the local
community and being able to
help them. As an Aboriginal
woman from Healesville, I’m
excited to be able to reach out
to even more members of the
community,” she said.
Joanne said the role provided
increased advocacy for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander patients.
“It’s really important for any
patient to have a voice and I
will be someone who people
can feel comfortable with,
knowing that I understand their
cultural concerns.”
Senior Aboriginal Service
Development Officer Vera
Webber said Joanne’s role
provided vital support to Eastern
Health’s strong commitment
to closing the health gap
between Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people and nonindigenous Australians.
“It’s fantastic to have Joanne
on board because it ensures
we can provide this support
to more people, increase
“It’s really
important for
any patient to
have a voice and
I will be someone
who people can
feel comfortable
with, knowing
that I understand
their cultural
concerns.“
– JOANNE VOCE
staff education and develop
strategies to improve this area
of health,” Vera said.
Joanne was also involved in
Eastern Health’s Closing the
Gap Sports Day on March 2,
where she put her netball
co-ordination skills to good use.
“I have three daughters
and my eldest plays for the
state Aboriginal netball team
Vic Stars”.
Joanne is based at Box Hill
Hospital and will provide
support to Eastern Health
sites and services.
COVER STORY
“AMAZING GIFT” ALLOWS
GRANDFATHER TO MEET
HIS FIRST GRANDCHILD
L-R: RINGWOOD NORTH PRIMARY
SCHOOL PUPILS SANA SOUFI, ABIGAIL
CHAI AND SOPHIE ANTONOPOULOS
WITH ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON
ALISON TAYLOR.
EASTERN HEALTH DONATION SPECIALISTS ERIN EAST AND DR JOSEPH
VETRO WITH LIVER RECIPIENT NORM LEWIS AT MAROONDAH HOSPITAL
After six months on a liver transplant waiting list, Norm Lewis
received a life-changing phone call that has allowed him to
meet his first grandchild two years later.
“I received a call from the
liver transplant co-ordinator
at Austin Hospital to advise
me about the availability of
a donor liver. I entered the
hospital an hour or so later
with anticipation, as not
all opportunities result in a
positive outcome,” Norm said.
“I continue to enjoy life
following an amazing gift from
a stranger” he said. “I will never
get to thank my donor and their
family in person but I always
think about them and their
incredible gift that has allowed
me to meet and spend time
with my grandson.”
“By the afternoon my
transplant had received
the go-ahead and surgery
commenced.”
Eastern Health’s donation
specialist Erin East is urging
families to have the chat now,
rather than at a time when grief
can hinder decision-making.
After years of uncertainty and
deteriorating health, Norm’s
transplant was a success and
he is back on his feet and
enjoying the arrival of his
first grandchild.
“Knowing your loved ones’
wishes can make a life-saving
difference to people waiting
for a transplant. It can be the
difference between seeing and
being blind, mobility and never
walking again,” she said.
Erin and colleague Dr Joseph
Vetro attended Kilsyth Basketball
Stadium on March 1 to provide
more information about organ
and tissue donation.
Kilsyth Basketball General
Manager Mark Griffiths said the
club was thrilled to be involved
in such an important campaign.
“We urge all Australians to
discover the facts about organ
and tissue donation, to register
your donation decision on
the Australian Organ Donor
Register and most importantly,
share your decision with those
closest to you.”
FACTS ABOUT ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION
• One organ and tissue donor
can transform the lives of
up to 10 people
• In Australia, the family will
always be asked to confirm
the donation wishes of the
deceased person before
donation can proceed
• At any one time there are
around 1600 people on
national transplant
waiting lists
• In 2012, 354 organ donors
gave 1052 Australians a
new chance at life.
Special
guests
tour
hospital
Three students from
Ringwood North
Primary School
enjoyed a personal
tour of Maroondah
Hospital as part of
their challenge-based
learning project.
Sophie, Abby and Sana, all
in Grade 3, sent an email to
orthopaedic surgeon Alison
Taylor with a list of questions
about success. Alison then
invited the girls to visit her in
the operating theatre, where
they scrubbed in to witness
the work of a surgical team
first-hand.
Alison also shared her
personal experiences as a
surgeon and demonstrated
how some of the equipment
worked. In an email to Alison
after their tour, the girls said
they “liked seeing how fast our
heart was beating” and that
the class was very surprised
when they returned to school
in their hospital clothes.
3
Care for the carers of loved
ones with a mental illness
KATHY COLLET
Having a family member
or friend with a mental
illness can feel like
arriving in a foreign
land. Not knowing the
language, families struggle
with terminology as well
as where to seek support.
Topics covered include:
• How and why someone develops mental health issues
• How Eastern Health mental health programs work
• Community mental health services
• An overview and where to go for carer education and
support services in the eastern region
• How to best help your loved one.
Help is on hand thanks to
monthly information sessions
organised by Eastern Health
and the Commonwealth Respite
and Carelink Centre, part
of Uniting Care Community
Options (UCCO).
Eastern Health’s carer consultant
Kathy Collet runs the sessions
with UCCO’s Catherine Rihak and
says they are extremely beneficial
for anyone close to someone with
a mental illness.
“Knowing that loved ones are
dealing with a mental illness can
be a very stressful and confusing
experience. People often wonder
why it happened, how they can
help and what support services
are available,” Kathy said.
“It’s understandable for families
to be unaware of local services,
particularly when they are new
to the mental health system.
Information sessions like this help
point people in the right direction
in the eastern region.”
Sessions are at Federation Estate (Room 3)
at 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood,
from 7.30pm to 9pm on the first Monday of
every month.
Information sessions are free and open to anyone with a
family member or friend with a mental illness. For more
information or to register your interest, contact Kathy Collet
on 9843 5800 or 0418 356 570.
If you would like more information about Commonwealth
Respite and Carelink Centre services for carers, call
1800 052 222 or 9239 2580 if calling from a mobile or
outside the eastern region.
Accreditation
provides
reassurance
People and communities in the east can be confident
they have access to the high-quality care they deserve
from their local public health service, with Eastern Health
achieving an outstanding accreditation result from the
Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS).
Following an extensive organisation-wide
survey in September 2013, the awarding of
four-year accreditation comes just weeks
after Eastern Health was named the 2013
Victorian Premier’s Metropolitan Health
Service of the Year.
“We are delighted with the result. It is a
great reflection of the high standard of care
and safety offered across all our sites and
services,” Chief Executive Alan Lilly said.
Conducted by a panel of external surveyors,
ACHS accreditation is a formal process to
4
assess the quality and safety of healthcare.
“It is an extremely thorough process to
assess every aspect of our organisation.
In total, we were assessed against 535
criteria,” Alan said.
Eastern Health met all core standards,
including 36 “met with merit” ratings – the
highest score used to recognise excellence.
High-achieving areas included Eastern
Health’s partnerships with consumers,
safety and quality governance, information
management, workforce management and
falls prevention.
“Of course this is no time for complacency,
as we continuously strive to improve
everything we do.”
Eastern Health was surveyed against the
National Safety and Quality Health Service
Standards, ACHS Evaluation Quality
Improvement Program Standards, National
Standards for Mental Health Services and
Community Care Common Standards.
Accreditation has been awarded until
March 2018.
Local support for
critically-ill patients
Patients with life-threatening
illnesses in Maroondah Hospital’s
intensive care unit are set to benefit
from a revolutionary piece of
equipment thanks to a cluster
of local businesses.
DIETITIAN CARLA JOHNSON
WITH CLIENT DAVID BAIRSTOW
Recipe for
good health
Launching Place resident David Bairstow
has been cooking his way to good health
in the Yarra Valley Community Health
kitchen, with dietitians helping him
improve his skills and prepare healthier,
more varied meals.
“I joined the cooking class
because my skills in the kitchen
were close to none. I’ve never
had to cook but as my life
circumstances changed, I
needed to look after myself
and learn how to eat healthily,”
David said.
Knowing his risk of heart attack
and diabetes was high, David
joined a local gym and started
working with dietitian Carla
Johnson to improve his
eating habits.
“David has learnt to prepare
and cook several dishes,
including Moroccan chicken
and salad, salmon pasta and
veggie omelettes,” Carla said.
“Our aim is to get people
eating fresher foods and
build their confidence to cook
from scratch without relying
on packaged foods that are
usually high in fat, sugar
and salt.”
“Carla has shown me lots of
ways to spruce up a dish with
different vegetables to make
my meals at home much more
interesting,” David said.
Yarra Valley Community Health’s
cooking group runs during every
school term in Yarra Junction
for four weeks and includes a
supermarket tour.
The team also runs the Life!
Program (www.lifeprogram.
org.au), a free group program
that is packed with information
and advice on ways to make
long-lasting changes to prevent
chronic disease. The Healthy
Living and Diabetes program is
also available, supporting people
who are newly diagnosed with
Type 2 diabetes.
Please call 1300 130 381 for
more information or to book a
spot in one of the groups.
The PulmoVista 500 provides enhanced respiratory care for
patients with critical conditions who require ventilation.
Eastern Health Foundation, in partnership with the
Coopersmith Family Foundation, has led the Maroondah
Hospital Business Cluster initiative for the past three years,
raising more than $200,000.
“This innovative business cluster model is based around
the concept of creating a simple and effective way for local
businesses to support their local hospital,” Eastern Health
Foundation Partnerships Manager Carolyn Schuwalow said.
“By banding together for a common cause, they can make
a significant contribution back to the community that has
helped their business to prosper.”
Collectively, in addition to the acquisition of the PulmoVista
500, the money raised from this initiative has resulted in the
purchase of four patient monitors for the post-anaesthetic
care unit and an operating table for the hospital’s surgical
services in 2011 and 2012.
Last year, 10 businesses partnered with the Eastern Health
Foundation to contribute funds totalling $100,000.
“This is a significant increase in funds previously raised and
highlights the success of local businesses uniting together for
a good cause – to give back to their community,” Carolyn said.
Long-time business cluster supporters include Coopersmith
Group, Good Guys Bayswater, Ringwood Mazda, Yarra
Valley Motor Group, Sheerwater Pool and Spa, Maroondah
Sports Club and First National Treeby Real Estate. In
2013, Maroondah Hospital’s business cluster welcomed
new participating local businesses, including Ringwood
Volkswagen, Mark Leonard Plumbing and Buildcept.
To celebrate the business cluster’s achievements,
Eastern Health Foundation Advisory Board Member Brett
Coopersmith hosted the annual Wandin Rustic Lunch in late
2013 at his spectacular botanical property to acknowledge
the support of each business.
“The event provided us with an opportunity to thank our
generous donors and highlight the difference their contribution
makes to patients and their families,” Carolyn said.
If your business would like to support Eastern Health, please
contact the Eastern Health Foundation on 03 9895 4868.
5
HEALTH ASSISTANTS (NURSING)
L-R: TAHLIA EDDY, JANINE MATHESON,
KAREN BAKKER, LOUISE FRANCIS, LORRAINE
MCDONALD AND VANESSA STARLING.
Pilot project
offers new start
Karen Bakker always
loved delivering meals to
patients as part of her job
in Maroondah Hospital’s
kitchen. Now, thanks
to a new pilot project,
she has been given the
opportunity to work in
the ward full-time.
“I love the hospital and love
spending time with patients. This
is the ideal opportunity for me to
move into a role where I can work
more directly with the patients,”
Karen said.
Karen is one of six new staff
members recently appointed
to the role of Health Assistant
(Nursing). Currently a pilot
project, the role offers additional
support for qualified nursing staff
in hospital wards.
“As part of the nursing team,
health assistants will be able to
make a difference to patients,
carers and families by offering
support during their hospital
stay,” Nursing Workforce Project
Manager Jo Mapes said. “These
roles are focused on maintaining
a safe environment in our wards
by providing help with patient
mobility, personal hygiene
and nutrition.
“Our recruits come from varying
6
“I wanted to do
something that
makes me happy, feel
fulfilled and want to
go to work every day.”
– JANINE MATHESON
career backgrounds and it’s great
to see that they have embraced
the opportunity as a new way to
pursue a career in health.”
Lorraine McDonald owned her
own coffee shop for 10 years
but always had a desire to work
in hospitals. “I’m really looking
forward to it. I wanted a change
and this was the perfect way to
make the switch,” Lorraine said.
Janine Matheson agreed:
“I wanted to do something
that makes me happy, feel
fulfilled and want to go to work
every day.”
However, the positions are not
just for those people seeking
a change, with recent Year 12
graduate Tahlia Eddy also rising
to the challenge.
“I want to be a nurse, however I
wasn’t sure it was for me. Once
I saw this opportunity I knew it
would be a good way to try it and
I’m so excited to get started.”
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DAVID BEST FROM TURNING POINT
WITH HIS LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Presidential honour
for addiction expert
A Turning Point expert has received a surprise thank you
from the President of the United States of America.
David Best, who is Associate Professor in Addiction Studies at
Turning Point and Monash University, received a letter late last
year from the Executive Office of the President of the United
States offering their thanks for “the important work you have
done to promote the transformative power of recovery from
alcohol and drug addiction”.
A/Prof Best also received a copy of President Obama’s National
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month Proclamation as
a token of appreciation for his efforts, which was signed by the
President himself.
The letter concluded that A/Prof Best’s leadership was “helping
build a healthier and safer community”.
The theme of last year’s Recovery Proclamation was “Together
on Pathways to Wellness” and encouraged “all Americans to
walk alongside family, friends and neighbours who are fighting
to overcome addiction”.
HEALTH
BOOST
DELIVERED
WITH ACUTE SPECIALIST CLINICS
Local residents have received a welcome boost with the launch
of acute specialist clinics at Healesville & District Hospital.
The clinics offer appointments for cardiology,
endocrinology, gastroenterology and
respiratory patients, with additional services
potentially running in the future.
Clinics occur one day a month in each
specialised area, with specialists from across
Eastern Health consulting with patients.
Eastern Health Executive Director of Acute
Health David Plunkett said the clinics
would play a significant role in giving the
community access to important health
MAROONDAH
HOSPITAL
MILESTONES
Maroondah Hospital’s
redevelopment reached
one of its construction
milestones in 2013 with
the completion of the first
ward, known as 3 North.
RECEPTIONIST CHRISTINE COULSON LOOKS
AFTER SPECIALIST CLINIC BOOKINGS AT
HEALESVILLE & DISTRICT HOSPITAL
services in their local area, in line with the
The redevelopment will deliver improved
Eastern Health Strategic Clinical Service Plan.
inpatient accommodation and expanded
“The acute specialist clinics demonstrate
Eastern Health’s continued commitment
to deliver healthcare to Healesville and its
community health services. It will also
include a new operating theatre and new
dialysis service for Yarra Ranges residents.
surrounds,” David said.
Appointments for the acute specialist
Late last year, the Victorian Government
Eastern Health.
clinics can be made via GP referral to
announced a multi-million-dollar
redevelopment of Healesville & District
Hospital and Yarra Valley Community Health.
Since then, 3 North has become
the new home for a 22-bed
specialty medicine ward
offering cardiology,
endocrinology, oncology and
respiratory care, previously
located on Ward 2 South.
Capital Projects Officer Annie
Hollaway said. “This stage
involved a significant amount
of demolition work to develop
the structure to support the new
floor, which will be home to our
new intensive care unit.”
“Once complete, we will move
onto the final stage of the
redevelopment to deliver a
new 20-bed GEM (Geriatric
Evaluation Management) ward,
located in the old critical care
unit,” Annie said.
“Ward 2 South was subsequently
vacated so we could commence
Stage 2 of the redevelopment,”
This new 16-bed intensive care
unit is due to be completed in
May 2014.
The $27 million project is due to
be completed later this year.
7
What’s in the
new building?
• 621 beds (an increase of
more than 200 beds)
• A larger, more efficient
emergency department
• A new 18-bed
intensive care unit
• 11 new operating
theatres, including a
surgical admissions area
• A new women’s
health precinct
• Specialist cardiology
facilities
• Inpatient and day
beds for cancer and
renal patients
• Plus two floors of public
underground car parking
(approx. 220 spaces).
The countdown is on
After much planning and
consultation, the relocation
plan to move patients and
staff into the new building,
known as Building A, is almost
finished. While not all dates
and details are confirmed, the
staged relocation program
will commence in July and is
scheduled to take about six
weeks to complete.
Moving a hospital is a very
complex process and patient
safety and care has been one of
Eastern Health’s key priorities
in planning the move. We are
moving into a brand new,
technologically-advanced facility
and ensuring all our staff and
volunteers are trained in the new
systems and equipment, and
oriented to the new building is
extremely important. A great
deal of work is going on behind
the scenes by Eastern Health
staff working with consultants
who have expertise in relocating
hospitals (such as the Royal
Children’s Hospital and The
Women’s Hospital) to ensure a
smooth move.
support services will open before
inpatients are transferred from
the existing building, known as
Building B, in late July. This will
be advertised so please keep an
eye out for information signs at
the hospital and public notices in
your local newspapers.
Meanwhile, after some four years
of construction activity, there is a
definite air of excitement at Box
Hill Hospital as we begin our
countdown to the move.
It is likely that some
departments, such as the
emergency department, and
EHQ is produced by Eastern Health’s Communications Department.
For further information, please contact the department on 03 9895 4879.
Authorised by Eastern Health EH0214 CD001
For more information on
the progress of the Box Hill
Hospital Redevelopment,
visit the Department of
Health’s website at www.
health.vic.gov.au/boxhill/
or follow our progress by
“liking” Box Hill Hospital
Redevelopment Project
on Facebook.